Hope – Red Tent Living

Weary and Thrilled

By: redtentwomen December 4, 2018December 3, 2018

Day to Day, FaithAdvent, Christmas, Danielle Castillejo, Hope, Marriage Struggles8 Comments

The angels broke into the atmosphere, announcing good news that seemed too late. But, they broke in anyway….

Empty Spaces

By: redtentwomen October 22, 2018October 21, 2018

Day to Day, Intentional Living, WarriorAnna Smith, Brave On Conference, Change, Hope, Jen Hatmaker, Ministry Burnout, Moving, Restore One, sabbatical, The Anchor House, Transitions4 Comments

I whispered, “I am not my burnout,” a phrase I held underneath my breath just silent enough so no one else could hear. These words erupted as Jen Hatmaker was giving a stellar keynote at the recent Brave On conference. While I do not recall Jen’s exact words, I sharply remember her speech triggered a new…

A Wealth of Years

By: redtentwomen September 26, 2018September 25, 2018

Day to DayAging, aging gracefully, Hope, Marcia Thomas, White Hair, Wisdom7 Comments

“Don’t trust anyone over 30.”–Jack Weinberg, 1964 “I hope I die before I get old.”–The Who, 1965 It was my generation, I suppose, that began this trend—the glorification of youth, the disdain of old age. Our fathers risked their lives in World War II, but we had no time for their stories, for their work…

A Voice Stolen

By: redtentwomen September 20, 2018September 19, 2018

Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesAbuse, Hope, Motherhood, Recovery, Redemption, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, trauma, Voice10 Comments

Dear Younger Self, I’m sitting in my living room with a deeply affectionate boy in my arms and another sweet boy growing safe inside my body. I can’t help but be curious about who you were so long ago. Were you anything like this stubborn, imaginative two-year old who is now leaping off the couch…

Wilderness Moms Club

By: redtentwomen June 11, 2018June 10, 2018

Day to Day, relationshipsBe Held, Christy Nockels, Hope, Kelsi Folsom, Mothering, River of Grace, Single Mom, Toddlers, Twins5 Comments

It’s been one month since he left. I stood in the airport taking in every detail of him that I would miss for the next seven months. We walked hand-in-hand from the check-in gate to security, marveling that once again we would be saying goodbye. Although we spent the year leading up to our wedding…

Shifting Seasons

By: redtentwomen March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Day to DayAnticipating Change, Hope, Mallory Redmond, Pregnancy, Remembering6 Comments

I’m finding myself in a strange sort of liminal space as I await the birth of my daughter. She’s with us, but not quite here. We’re standing at the threshold of what will be, counting down the days until we can fully step into this new season of life.

Magnificent Hope

By: redtentwomen January 4, 2018January 4, 2018

Day to DayDutch Caribbean, Expat Living, Hope, Kelsi Folsom, Mothering toddlers, Saba6 Comments

We all went home to dark houses that night. Saba’s Christmas Spirit had tripped the power. Again. Imagine the holiday fervor of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, except an entire island. The phrase “dripping with lights” would not be far from the truth. It is a wonder to behold, and a necessary indulgence.

Forever unfolding.

By: redtentwomen September 22, 2017September 17, 2017

relationshipsBroken Engagements, Death, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Hope, Katy Johnson, Resurrection, Singleness, Weddings5 Comments

“I’ve decided God is about the things that come really easy or really, REALLY hard. Everything else is just me believing if I give the right amount of effort, I’ll get the result I want. Life is a lot of me pretending I have my act together.”

Permission

By: redtentwomen August 18, 2017August 18, 2017

Day to Day, relationshipsChristy Barber, Hope, Recovery from Abuse, Therapy8 Comments

“You have my permission to consider all men as bastards until they individually prove otherwise.” That sentence shook me awake from my mental flight.

Invitation to Desire

By: redtentwomen July 13, 2017July 9, 2017

Day to DayHope, Natalie Sum, Proverbs 13:12, The Prodigal Son4 Comments

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life -Proverbs 13:12 It seemed harmless to open the invitation until I read the job description. It could have had my name engraved on it.